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Cambridge Health Alliance

Owned by Cambridge Public Health Commission
Cambridge, Massachusetts • Hospital ID 220011
How does this emergency room compare?
2h 50m
Typical Emergency Room (ER) wait time
Ranked #8 of 54 Massachusetts hospitals for speed
Faster than 85% of Massachusetts hospitals
✓ Strength: Faster ER waits than Massachusetts average
✓ Strength: Fewer patients return within 30 days
✓ Strength: High patient satisfaction (84/100)
Faster emergency rooms nearby
Other Massachusetts hospitals where patients typically wait less time:

What you need to know

Emergency Room (ER) wait time

2h 50m
✓ 51m faster than Massachusetts average
Massachusetts average: 3h 40m
Ranked #8 of 54 Massachusetts hospitals for ER speed
Faster than 85% of Massachusetts hospitals
To see how this compares across the country, view the ER waits by state report or the fastest ER hospitals report.

Patient safety record

28.0 out of 100 patients return within 30 days
1.0 complications per 1,000 procedures
84/100 patient satisfaction score
Fewer readmissions-8% Average complications0% Average experience-1%
Badges compare this hospital to others in Massachusetts. Lower readmissions and complications are better; higher patient satisfaction is better.

How we rate hospitals

We compare each hospital only to others in Massachusetts. This keeps comparisons fair since different regions face different challenges—rural vs urban, teaching vs community hospitals, etc.

Better than average
Top third of Massachusetts hospitals
About average
Middle third of Massachusetts hospitals
Below average
Bottom third of Massachusetts hospitals

Understanding the terms

ER wait time (OP-18b): The official national measure of emergency room wait times—time from arrival until you see a doctor or nurse. Also called ED (Emergency Department) wait time.
Readmissions: When patients need to return to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged. Lower numbers are better.
Complications: Problems that happen during or after medical procedures, measured per 1,000 procedures. Lower numbers are better.
Patient satisfaction: How patients rate their overall experience on surveys conducted by CMS. Higher scores are better.

When to prioritize speed vs safety

Life-threatening: Go to the closest ER

  • Severe chest pain or trouble breathing
  • Heavy bleeding or major injuries
  • Stroke symptoms or seizures
  • Severe allergic reactions

Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital immediately.

Urgent but stable: Consider wait times

  • Possible broken bones
  • High fever or severe pain
  • Deep cuts needing stitches
  • Bad sprains or sports injuries

Compare nearby hospitals for faster care.

Data sources: Official federal datasets from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). Updated monthly. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice.

Questions about this data? Learn how we calculate these scores or report an error.